Andrew Zimmern's Guide to Montreal

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Montreal, one of North America's most beautiful cities, is a glorious collision of cultures. Few places in the world can say they are as authentically multicultural as Montreal, one of the largest French-speaking cities on the planet.

According to Bizarre Foods host Andrew Zimmern, Montreal inspires some of his most deeply resonant lost weekends. There is no city on earth better geared for a weekend of madly obsessive chowing down than the Quebecois pleasure dome of Montreal. And it’s not just Montreal’s finest eateries that plug into the aesthetic of indulgence, but the casual joints as well.

Before planning your trip to Montreal, check out all the places Andrew visited and other spots to add to your to-do list when visiting this bustling food city.

Getting Around

CarOnce you get to Montreal, you’ll have to plan how to explore this magnificient city. You don’t really need a car to get around town, but having one is by no means a drawback, considering that the road system is straightforward, parking is easy to come by, and traffic is limited to rush hours and even then, the only headaches are on the major expressways.

Public Transportation
The Société de Transport de Montreal controls the metro and bus lines in the city, which run from around 5:30 a.m. until just after midnight. More than 150 bus routes complement the subway system, including an array of night buses. Also check out the 6 commuter train lines. And from late spring to mid-October, ferries cruise the St. Lawrence River between Old Port, St. Helen’s Island and Longueuil.

BikeMontreal is ranked as one of the most bike-friendly cities. The setup of bike lanes makes pedaling to your destination an effective form of transport. You can also take a leisurely ride around Mount Royal, along the Lachine Canal or on the trails and roads on St. Helen’s Island.

Where to Go

Where to Eat

Fairmount Bagel
Andrew visits the Plateau neighborhood and stops at this bagel shop, where he gets a lesson on how to make fresh bagels the old-fashioned way.Address: 74 Fairmount W, Montreal, Quebec H2T 2M2

La BanquiseCooking Channel host and chef Nadia Giosia takes Andrew to meet up with the co-stars of her show Nadia G's Bitchin' Kitchen at a restaurant that’s a little more mainstream and that serves all kinds of poutine.Address: 994 Rue Rachel Est, Montreal, Quebec H2J 2J3

Cabane a Sucre au Pied de CochonAndrew visits the farm where renowned chef Martin Picard taps his maple trees for syrup and raises pigs for meat for his restaurant, Cabane a Sucre au Pied de Cochon.

Schwartz's Deli
This deli is famous for its smoked meat, the Quebec version of pastrami. Andrew and Nadia G sink their teeth into a smoked beef sandwich.Address: 3895 Saint-Laurent Blvd, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1X9